S.O. Fasrus: Social Justice Campaigner & Social Research Interviewer. Her verse and poems; some comic; satirical; and serious; can be found online. Recent poems are in New Verse News, Culture Matters, and Poems for Grenfell Tower.

The balloon making industry is showing a significant upsurge.
After laying off over 200 workers less than a year ago
there has been a turnaround
with retail outlets showing high demand for the product.
The industry believes the Trump Blimp,
floated during the American President’s visit,
followed in recent days
by the proposed floating of the Sadiq Khan bikini clad blimp,
has contributed to the rise in demand.
A trend for bespoke life sized blimps,
not merely for protest,
but for cultural events and big family occasions
such as weddings and baptisms,
has pushed business up by 60%.
The sector is ballooning.

Many people will dance the Conga
having heard of the collapse of Wonga
They will say, “Serves them right
as they exploited the paupers' plight”.
The shareholders, it would appear,
are the only ones to shed any tear.

Thursday, 30 August 2018

In season it’s impossible to park. Yesterday
The sun was shining. And tomorrow morning
It might be overcast or raining. But today -
And all season - it’s impossible to park. Visitors,
Like brightly coloured bees swarm through Penlee and Morrab
Gardens. It’s high season. It’s impossible to park.

This is the Market Jew Street snarl-up. And this
Is the A30 snarl-up, the true extent of which you will see
Only when, eventually, you get out of town. And this,
This is all the time in the world -
Which in our case we have not got. The visitors,
Sweaty in their four by fours make silent, eloquent gestures.
They worry about scratching their shiny new doors
Which we, the cash-strapped locals, have not got.

This is the car park at the Green Market which fills up
Early with shoppers. Please do not bother after half-past nine.
But instead try the one next-door to Penlee Park, which is
Bigger and just around the corner. It is , of course, expensive and
usually full. This is Cornwall. It’s impossible to park.

And this you can see is the Prom. The purpose of this
Is to take you to the beach. It is pleasanter to walk than to drive.
But you will need to get down there before the commuters
Who come into town for their day’s work. (We call this
Earning a living.) But the gaily-garbed holidaymakers, the would-be
morning strollers, find their places in Disabled spaces.
They call it, with a smile, ‘squeezing in'.

They call it squeezing in. For them it is perfectly easy.

(They have the neck and the nerve.) They can park on
The pavement or in front of someone’s driveway
(Which in my case I have not got). Or they ‘squeeze’ their off-road
Vehicles into residential roads - which are narrow - obstructing
The pavement. This is Cornwall. It’s impossible to park.

Wednesday, 29 August 2018

3.6 million ghosts are waiting patiently
for their GP to confirm they are dead
but are entitled to that compensation,
the much touted and sought-after PPI.
They're bewildered and are asking why
a matter so grave has been overlooked
and has been buried among other news.
Now that they know, there is no excuse
to deny their dearest to make a claim
although it never was the original aim.
But any benefit that they might derive
would be invalid if they are still alive.
It has been revealed by a recent report
that medical records which purport
that 3.6 million patients do still exist
are wrong and deaths have been missed.
Doctors in England are said to be paid
for each patient that might require aid
whether they attend or they do not
and some people say that's quite a lot
of money that could increase the fund
of the NHS known to be moribund.

Luigi Pagano has published three collections of poems: ‘Idle Thoughts’, ’Reflections’ and ‘Poetry On Tap’. His work has been featured in ABCTales’ magazines, UKAuthors’ anthologies, Poetry24 and several other publications.

A robot that watches
as you cross the road
to make sure pedestrians
follow the Green Cross code
is now being tested
by Jaguar Land Rover.
But does it also guide
the eponymous chickens
who always cross over
to the other side,
but we don't know why?

Tuesday, 28 August 2018

Intelligent, gifted, mis-directed
Most people they encounter
Offer help, support, well-meaning
The psyche of the individual
Cries for help-
The individual ignores it
They do not see to needs of
The child within.

What to do as a friend?
Offer support, advice; but really
Doesn't make much difference
Appreciate their quirkiness,
Their personality, the humour.

But ultimately,
Someone living with an abused
lost lonely child-
Destruction caused spreads outwards
Give them a hug, concern, hello
And simply, move on.

Amanda Derry joined a Creative Writing class, following a breakdown, which played a significant role in her recovery. She now embeds literacy skills into classes that she teaches. Amanda also runs the Facebook Group, I Love Writing.

We’ll be getting rid of the name Nafta
not a good name -
bad connotations, bad, very bad.
I know about brands, believe me.
words starting with 'naf'
can give the wrong idea.
I know a lot of words, believe me
and ‘naff,’ is a bad one.
It’s not the sort of word this President wants to be associated with.
Bad connotations, not good, not good.
Nafta:
You got to be really stupid to come up with a bad name like that.

S.O. Fasrus: Social Justice Campaigner & Social Research Interviewer. Her verse and poems; some comic; satirical; and serious; can be found online. Recent poems are in New Verse News, Culture Matters, and Poems for Grenfell Tower.

Richard Devereux is a member of Lansdown Poets and Bristol Stanza. His collection Bill tells the story of his grandfather, a soldier of World War One who fought on the Balkan front in northern Greece. Richard taught English in Athens and his knowledge of Greece inspires and informs much of his writing. His poems have appeared in several anthologies and on-line magazines.

Saturday, 25 August 2018

Mud, mud, glorious mud
Nothing quite like for raising the blood!
So follow me, follow me
Down to the Sea
There let them dump the glorious mud.

It's a gift from old England to Wales!
Don't believe them horrible tales.
Digging for glory at Hinkley Point C
Let's dump the mud in the Welsh sea.
It's only a bit radioactive, that's a fact
So don't get excited, don't act!
Let Cardiff Bay glow in the night
It will bring the tourists, the glorious sight!
The tides take it away from England, true
But that because dear Wales we love you!
If the fish die or the lava bread goes odd
Remember it's safe you silly old sod!
Them protesters have got everything wrong
So join your betters in this little song.

Mud, mud, glorious mud
Nothing quite like it for raising the blood!
So follow me, follow me
Down to the Sea
There let them dump the glorious mud.

Luigi Pagano has published three collections of poems: ‘Idle Thoughts’, ’Reflections’ and ‘Poetry On Tap’. His work has been featured in ABCTales’ magazines, UKAuthors’ anthologies, Poetry24 and several other publications.

Man of England lend a hand
Now's the time to take a stand.
Don't give in to Brexit defeat,
Be like Nelson and the fleet.
Unfurl the flag, rig the mast,
Do the motions quick and fast.
Remember Churchill's big cigar
Make a contribution a bit bizarre.
They did it, King Alfred and Robin Hood
But you can do it for the nation's good.

And every drop of milk of man
Will be frozen in a special can.
So don't waste that national seed
Go to the sperm bank at top speed
And your favourite form of behaviour
Will be your nation's future saviour.

Thursday, 23 August 2018

Jesus said, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)

Marissa Glover teaches and writes in Florida. Her poetry is found in UK journals such as Amaryllis, Picaroon, Ink, Sweat & Tears, Bonnie’s Crew, and Solstice Sounds. Follow her on Twitter @_MarissaGlover_.

Doesn't matter if anyone around him is indicted
Colluding with Russians or has fixed
Election results
For the 'candidate' they were working with
At the time- no, no links
And paying off play bunnies
Was just incidental
Never mind,
Any large corporations
That handed them tips.
Machinations and motives
Behind Governmental dealings
And don't get me onto Brexit.

Lianne Kamp resides in Boston, Massachusetts. Her poems and short stories appear in assorted print journals and on-line publications including: Poets Reading the News, Rattle’s Ekphrastic Challenge, Scarlet Leaf Review, Poetry Quarterly, Dual Coast Magazine, and a number of Prolific Press anthologies. She writes poetry to make her world-view more panoramic by examining it more closely.

S.O. Fasrus: Social Justice Campaigner & Social Research Interviewer. Her verse and poems; some comic; satirical; and serious; can be found online. Recent poems are in New Verse News, Culture Matters, and Poems for Grenfell Tower.

Come on U.K. citizens, you better hurry
and drop the dishes you've appropriated:
tikka masala; tandoori; and vindaloo too.
They are Indian recipes - not British curry -
and therefore don't belong to you.

S.O. Fasrus: Social Justice Campaigner & Social Research Interviewer. Her verse and poems; some comic; satirical; and serious; can be found online. Recent poems are in New Verse News, Culture Matters, and Poems for Grenfell Tower.

Amanda Derry joined a Creative Writing class, following a breakdown, which played a significant role in her recovery. She now embeds literacy skills into classes that she teaches. Amanda also runs the Facebook Group, I Love Writing.

Rebecca Gethin lives on Dartmoor in Devon. In 2017 two pamphlets were published: A Sprig of Rowan by Three Drops Press and All the Time in the World by Cinnamon Press who published an earlier collection and two novels. She has been a Hawthornden Fellow. In 2018 she jointly won the Coast to Coast Pamphlet competition and has been awarded a writing residency at Brisons Veor. www.rebeccagethin.wordpress.com

Wednesday, 15 August 2018

I'm Boris The Tory
Born in a leaf of gold.
My ancestors The Liz'ards'
Here before money evolved.
I can change my colour to reflect
who I am,
To shock or amuse any creature or man.
I want to blend with the popular crew,
Bide my time then change my hue.
I want your attention
I want your eyes,
It's nothing to do with being worthy or wise.
See me! See me! I have this need,
It makes me wealthy living on greed.
If you can't out shine me then don't even try,
I don't care if you live or die.

Cath Campbell is a Northumbrian poet who loves eating, dog walking, and the sea. She has an MA in creative writing from Newcastle university, and has had poems published in several magazines, including Prole, Obsessed With Pipework, Erbacce, and IAmNotASilentPoet. She also has a poem published in #MeToo, a woman's poetry anthology.

I am really sorry but Cornwall is full
I know it is lovely, a holiday pull
But too many people have come for the sun
And stopped it from being a place of real fun
There's far too much traffic, and tourists in cars
Cause chaos and somehow the ambience mars
We can't get to work, we are frequently late
Emergency vehicles in queues have to wait
And so Visit Cornwall says please don't come here
Perhaps visit Devon? It's lovely, and near!

Saturday, 11 August 2018

We made a plan
We fixed the date
We escaped straight through the garden gate
We caught the bus, the number three
Two old codgers, Klaus and me
We’d read the papers and we’d seen
The Metal Fest
We both were keen
We made a plan
We fixed the date
The number three was running late
But we arrived eventually
And sneaked in past security
I cast aside my zimmer frame
Klaus, my pal he did the same
We banged our heads and got on down
Two old geezers on the town
And like magic we were 23
Klaus my mate and his mate me
The music stopped we cried encore
"Judas Priest man we want more"
Then through the crowd our carers came
The bubble burst but all the same
I’ll have that memory until I die
Judas Priest and Klaus and I

Bex Tate is frustrated with the data driven education system, left behind her teaching job. She now spends her time writing, pondering life and wonderińg what to do next. Writing poetry helps her to try and make sense of the world as well as giving her the chance to rant a bit!!

Thursday, 9 August 2018

When Poetry24 ceased publication
the decision caused consternation
and, personally, I was distraught
for having lost an invaluable slot
in which to showcase my verse.
The crisis couldn't be any worse,
I reflected, sad and disheartened.
Then I learnt that it'd be restarted
with a new poem by Hamish Mack.
I was so glad that it would be back
and I could put my brain into gear.
I also thought that many would cheer
the re-apparition of a good platform
that had taken all writers by storm
with a new concept absolutely fine:
poetry inspired by a news headline.
Now it is doing well after a pause
and all editors deserve applause
for breathing life into this site
and putting authors in the limelight.
So thank you to Martin and Clare
and to who the burden did share:
Abigail Wyatt and Hamish Mack,
whose contribution was never slack.

Luigi Pagano has published three collections of poems: ‘Idle Thoughts’, ’Reflections’ and ‘Poetry On Tap’. His work has been featured in ABCTales’ magazines, UKAuthors’ anthologies, Poetry24 and several other publications.

S.O. Fasrus: Social Justice Campaigner & Social Research Interviewer. Her verse and poems; some comic; satirical; and serious; can be found online. Recent poems are in New Verse News, Culture Matters, and Poems for Grenfell Tower.

Strictly Come Dancing
will strictly adhere
To strictly mixed couples
in spite of the year
In two thousand and eighteen
I find this surprising-
Strictly ‘s ratings may drop
And Mr. Cowell’s
may start rising!

I'm Latrodetus from Texas
looking for a mate
With my hour glass figure
i'm an interesting date
I have legs to die for
a home of finest thread
My beautiful red embelishment
will entice someone to bed
Love making out of this world
from which you wont recover
A truly fatal encounter
Your Arachnid Widow Lover.

(70 yr old big guy seeks a big built female to bring him out of his shell)

Lifestyle:

An early riser and a keen forager
naps a lot, semi-submerged in mud or water
Sexually forceful (rough love - guaranteed to lift partner off her feet)
but very experienced after practising on a boulder for 40 years
non-possessive. - leaves after sex

some travelling in the early hours.
usually asleep before sunset but known to wander off to watering holes in the middle of the night.
Looking to breed? Big Dirk from the Galapagos is waiting.

Monday, 6 August 2018

a breakfast meal can be a thrill
if the food bank can comply
Eggs and bacon, you're mistaken
it's tins of beans in big supply
Bread a bit stale
Spread a bit pale
but given to me for free
I'm happy to share if you care
all washed down with a mug of tea.

Breakfast at the Commons

It's not uncommon at the commons
for kippers to appear
with door step toast and duckling roast
subsidized by commoners me dear
Egg benedict and mushrooms sweet
Bacon, hashbrowns a real nice treat
Share with you? not today
it's on the expense sheet all the way.

The Willow Tea Room
designed by Macintosh
was thought at the time
to be utterly posh.
When it opened, the salon
had a sculptural relief
by Mackintosh's wife,
a hand-painted gesso.
The Room was famous
for brewed tea leaf
but to their patrons
did not serve espresso.

S.O. Fasrus: Social Justice Campaigner & Social Research Interviewer. Her verse and poems; some comic; satirical; and serious; can be found online. Recent poems are in New Verse News, Culture Matters, and Poems for Grenfell Tower.

John ("Jake") Cosmos Aller is a retired US State Department diplomat currently residing in South Korea. He served in 10 countries in his 27-year career. Prior to his diplomatic service, he taught ESL, Asian Studies and Government in Korea, and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Korea. He grew up in Berkeley, California and his poetry is heavily influenced by the Bay Area. For more "Jake" poetry, writings and political rants, check out https://thewordlaccordingtocosmos.com